Post by wildgm on May 8, 2007 22:13:01 GMT -5
As the season comes to an end the wild will be a 50+ loss team and will be the worst team in the league. GM Fuhr had aspirations of a playoff spot but that changed when he realized he did not have enough offense to get by this season and did not want to sacrifice the future to get some. It was all bout the future with the Wild and the fans of Minnesota can expect a quick turn around and a quick climb up the standings next season.
An offence which only really had one threat this year in Zubrus will be much improved next season. Next season the offence will take a giant leap starting with the PP which was at below 6% success rate all year. The PP will take a huge jump from improved play in Campbell, Bieska and Ranger on the point. Up front an offense that averaged a little over two goals a game will be better. Six 20+ goal scorers will be in the lineup in Lombardi, Zubrus, Stempy, Kozlov, Hunter and Plekanec. With the first round pick which will be top five and a chance to be first overall, will be shopped around for a 30+ goal scoring forward aged 22-26 with a cheap contract. That should help solidify the offense.
A PK which was excellent this season should remain the same next year with Komisarek,, White and XLB doing the dirty work from the back end. We also have PK players such as Richardson, Schaefer and Greir to help do the dirty work. Avery is the ultra pest on the team and will play in a third line role. Svitov will play on the fourth line but we have high hopes for him to be a physical shutdown center over the next few years.
In net Kolzig should be better next season and Biron will be solid in a backup role. Hopefully by the end of next year Biron can take over the number one spot and Kolzig will be let go opening up six million dollars but lets not get to far ahead of ourselves.
After contract resigns we will have close to 12 million dollars to spend on players in the off season. If the trade of the pick goes well, the Wild may keep quiet this off season wait one more year and when Kolzig comes off the books have 18 million dollars to play with.
The foundation is in place to make the playoffs next season and the following year a cup will be the goal.